BAE to take on more apprentices in
‘positive step’ for its Yorkshire sites

The scheme, which is Government-backed, will take on 181 more people than last year across its 16 sites, including Brough and Doncaster, as the company races to meet what it calls “the largest workload for two decades”.

Positions start in September 2014 and last 42 months, with an average salary of around £14,000 and a guaranteed job at the end.

More than half of the 568 roles are at a submarine yard in Barrow-in-Furness, where BAE is building seven new Astute class attack submarines for the Royal Navy and designing a successor to the UK’s Trident missile system.

Forty eight apprentices will join the Aircraft Maintenance Academy in Doncaster, while up to 17 apprentices will be taken on at BAE’s Brough site in roles including craft apprentices, machinists and fitters.

Brough site director Dave Corfield said the increase in apprentices to be recruited next year from five in 2013 was a positive step for the site. He said: “Taking on apprentices shows the company’s commitment in the youngsters of today, including those from this region.

“We are fortunate to have some exceptionally talented people who are looking at BAE Systems as a place for their apprenticeship because they recognise the level of investment we put in to our people. It is these young people who are the future of all parts of the business.”

BAE Systems is holding a recruitment roadshow at the Brough site on January 15 to provide information to youngsters seeking a career within the company.

As part of their training, all apprentices will spend placements within different parts of the business alongside undertaking further training through colleges.

In November, Emma Redhead, 23, was named software engineering apprentice of the year at BAE Systems, Brough.

BAE says around half the senior executives in its military aircraft wing found their feet as apprentices, including managing director Chris Boardman.